How to freeze bitter gourd and 5 recipes! [Explanation with photos! ]

Have you ever had the experience of growing bitter gourds one after another in your home garden and can't keep up with eating them?

We recommend storing bitter gourd in the freezer!

You can store it fresh, and if you cut it and freeze it, you can use it little by little for cooking without getting tired of it.

This time, I will introduce a good way to freeze bitter melon and a simple recipe using frozen bitter melon.

Advantages of freezing bitter gourd

Can be stored for a long time

The first advantage of freezing bitter gourd is that it can be stored for a long time.

If you store bitter gourd in the refrigerator, it will only last for about a week even if you remove the seeds and pulp, but if you store it in the freezer, it will last for about a month.

Easy to use even in small quantities

The other thing is that you can easily use it even in small amounts.

Rather than using up the whole bitter gourd, you often want to use a small amount, such as half.

If you store it in the freezer, you can take out the amount you want and use it for cooking whenever you want.

How to freeze bitter gourd

How to freeze bitter gourd raw

1) Wash the bitter gourd well, cut it in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds and pulp inside.

2) Cut into desired size. We recommend slicing it thinly.

3) Place it in a freezer bag, flatten it, remove the air well, and then put it in the freezer.

How to boil and freeze bitter gourd

1) Wash the bitter gourd well, cut it in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds and pulp inside.

2) Cut into desired size. We recommend slicing it thinly.

3) Heat a pot, bring the water to a boil, and once it boils, boil the bitter gourd until firm.

4) Wipe off the water well, put it in a freezer bag, flatten it, remove the air well, and then put it in the freezer.

How to thaw frozen bitter gourd and storage period

How to thaw frozen bitter melon

You can thaw frozen bitter gourd by natural thawing. If you are in a hurry, thaw it by heating it gently in the microwave. Depending on the dish, you can also use it frozen.

Storage period of frozen bitter gourd

The shelf life of frozen bitter gourd is approximately one month. If you don't care about the flavor, it will last for a few months, but it will deteriorate over time, so be sure to use it up as soon as possible.

>> 3 points to keep in mind when preserving vegetables

A nutritionist explains! About the nutrition of bitter gourd

Bitter melon is a summer vegetable that contains a lot of vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts immunity and is effective in recovering from summer fatigue due to its antioxidant properties.

In addition, the vitamin C in bitter gourd is resistant to heat, so it does not break down even when stir-fried or cooked.

Champuru is the best bitter gourd!
Bitter gourd goes well with oil and is a good source of vitamin C, making it a great source of nutrients during the summer heat. It also goes well with pork, and the vitamin B1 contained in pork helps relieve fatigue.

Even if you don't like the bitterness of bitter gourd, cooking it with oil will cover the bitterness of bitter melon and make it easier to eat.

Source of bitterness of bitter gourd
The bitterness of bitter gourd comes from a component called momordecin. It has a strong antioxidant effect and can be expected to prevent arteriosclerosis and suppress cancer.

It is said to have the effect of protecting the stomach mucosa, increasing appetite, and lowering blood sugar levels, making it perfect for a tired body in the summer.

How to identify fresh bitter melon
1. Vibrant colors/dark colors
2.Things that are uniformly thick and heavy
3.The cut is fresh and the skin is firm.

If the wart has no tension, is soft, or has black spots on its surface, it is old.

Nutritionist Ruri

Obtained nutritionist qualifications from Toita Women's Junior College and graduated from the same university. After graduating from Kyorin University, he also obtained a qualification as a food hygiene manager. Currently at Daybreak Co., Ltd., he oversees various food freezing experiments while disseminating food freezing information. My hobbies are traveling and hula dancing.
My favorite vegetable is broccoli.

5 easy recipes using frozen bitter gourd

Easy bitter melon champuru

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/4070033

☑〈材料（2人分）〉
・冷凍にしたゴーヤ1/2本分
・魚肉ソーセージ1本
・木綿豆腐1丁
・みりん小さじ1
・しょうゆ大さじ1
・ごま油小さじ1
・塩少々
・こしょう少々

<How to make>
1) First, take out the frozen bitter gourd and leave it to thaw naturally.
2) Drain tofu for at least 10 minutes and cut into desired size.
3) Cut the fish sausage into desired sizes.
4) Heat a frying pan, add oil and fry the fish sausage.
5) Once the fish sausage is cooked, transfer it to another plate.
6) Stir-fry the half-thawed bitter gourd.
7) Once stir-fried to some extent, add tofu.
8) Transfer to another plate and add the fish sausage.
9) Add all seasonings and mix roughly.
10) Add the beaten eggs and mix roughly.
11) Season with salt and pepper, serve in a bowl, and serve.

A simple champuru made with fish sausage.

Steamed bitter gourd and zucchini

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/1902359

☑〈材料（2人分）〉
・冷凍にしたゴーヤ1/2本分
・ズッキーニ1./2本
・もやし1袋
・豚肉100グラム
・ポン酢しょうゆ適量

<How to make>
1) Prepare frozen bitter melon.
2) Slice the zucchini thinly.
3) Wash the bean sprouts and put them in a colander.
4) Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces.
5) Spread the bean sprouts in a heat-resistant container and add the pork, bitter gourd, and zucchini on top.
6) Cover lightly with plastic wrap and heat in the microwave for about 10 minutes.
7) Serve in a bowl, add ponzu soy sauce, and serve.

It's a light and delicious dish that you can enjoy even when you're feeling tired in the summer.

Bitter melon chips

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/4021260

☑〈材料（2人分）〉
・冷凍にしたゴーヤ1/2本分
・塩少々
・こしょう少々
・砂糖少々
・片栗粉小さじ1
・鰹節少々

<How to make>
1) Defrost the frozen bitter gourd by gently heating it in the microwave.
2) Put bitter melon in a bowl, add salt, pepper, and sugar and mix well.
3) Sprinkle the potato starch and mix until it is hard enough to form a shape.
4) Heat a frying pan and heat the oil.
5) Once the temperature is high, fry the bitter gourd.
6) Once both sides are golden brown, place in a bowl and sprinkle with bonito flakes.

I introduced only bitter melon, but if you want to make it kakiage-style, you can add other ingredients as you like.

Adding carrots etc. will make it more colorful.

Stir-fried bitter gourd and pork with miso

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/3356179

☑材料（4人分）
・冷凍にしたゴーヤ1本分
・豚肉200グラム
・なす3本
・味の素小さじ1
・しょうゆ大さじ1
・みりん大さじ1
・酒大さじ3
・みそ70グラム
・砂糖大さじ2

<How to make>
1) Leave frozen bitter gourd at room temperature until it thaws naturally.
2) Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces.
3) Cut the eggplant into desired size.
4) Mix miso and sugar. Heat a frying pan and heat the oil.
5) Stir-fry the pork, bitter gourd, and eggplant.
6) Add Ajinomoto, soy sauce, mirin, and sake and mix well.
7) Once stir-fried to some extent, add the mixed miso and sugar.
8) Boil it well, put it in a bowl, and it's done.

The slight bitterness of bitter gourd and the sweet flavor of miso make it addictive.

Bitter melon keema curry

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/2304886

☑〈材料3人分〉
・冷凍にしたゴーヤ1本分
・玉ねぎ1/2個
・ひき肉120グラム
・オリーブオイル適量
・カレー粉適量
・ウスターソース適量
・しょうゆ適量
・こしょう少々

<How to make>
1) Leave the frozen bitter gourd at room temperature until it thaws naturally.
2) Slice the onions.
3) Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and fry the onions.
4) When the onions become soft, stir-fry the bitter melon as well.
5) Add minced meat and stir-fry. When the minced meat changes color, add curry powder, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce and mix well.
6) Finally, sprinkle with pepper to adjust the taste.
7) Serve on a plate with rice and it's done.

A dynamic and unique keema curry with plenty of bitter gourd.

Conclusion

How was it? Even if you harvest bitter gourd, you can store it in the freezer and use it easily in cooking.

It's fun to experiment with different ways to slice bitter melon.

If you have too many bitter gourds and are having trouble, try freezing them.

>> Click here for how to freeze meat

>> Click here for how to freeze fish

>> Click here for other ways to freeze vegetables